Women face unique health concerns that evolve with their age and life stage.
Here at Star Medical we pride ourselves on prioritising and offering tailored women’s health services across a variety of areas. Our doctors specialise in women’s health across sexual health, contraception, fertility, pre and post-pregnancy check-ups, menopause and health concern screenings. Our Star Medical team in Chatswood, Hornsby and Wentworth Point understands the importance of offering women’s health to provide health care tailored to the changes that occur at each stage of life.
Antenatal Care
As soon as you are aware of your pregnancy, we encourage patients to see a women’s health doctor to provide you and your baby the best care possible. Antenatal care ensures pregnant women are receiving personalised care and check-ups throughout their pregnancy. This care is important as it will monitor the health of your baby throughout the stages of pregnancy. At our women’s clinic, our experienced physicians will make you feel comfortable throughout your pregnancy and answer any questions you may have about the process. Antenatal shared care allows for women to have Midwifery, GP and private care throughout their pregnancy journey.
Through antenatal care, you will have access to development scans, a tailored pregnancy plan, pregnancy testing, Uro-Gynaecology, first-trimester screening, counselling, pre-pregnancy guidance and pathology tests. We also offer fertility and postnatal care to guide you through the stages before and after pregnancy.
Sexual Health
Patients should maintain good sexual health as this is a key element of health care. We recommend having regular check-ups once sexually active to ensure you are being safe with your sexual activity and are maintaining good sexual health. Patients should have a good understanding of their body and sexual healthcare. Our physicians will provide you with the answers to your sexual health queries and can assist with any sexually health concerns.
Our sexual health checks can provide support for unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and safer sex practices. Here at Star Medical we pride ourselves on our professionalism and privacy when it comes to patient concerns, especially when it comes to sexual health information.
Contraception
Contraception, when used correctly, is a means to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STI transmission. At our women’s healthcare clinic in Chatswood, Hornsby or Wentworth Point, we can provide guidance with choosing the right contraceptive choice for your personal needs. It is important to discuss your personal needs and concerns with our team to determine the correct contraceptive for you.
Whilst contraceptive pills are the most common form of birth control, many other contraceptive methods exist including options that cover long periods of time such as the Implanon and the Mirena (IUD). Here at Star Medical we offer the insertion, removal and replacement of contraceptive devices for patients considering reversible, long-term birth control.
Implanon
The Implanon is a contraceptive implant that releases the hormone progesterone into the body to prevent pregnancy from occurring. The small implant is inserted in the inner upper arm, under the skin. Our team is trained to insert and remove the contraceptive implant at our women’s specialist clinic. The contraceptive works by releasing progesterone slowly over three years to prevent the patient’s eggs from being released. The hormone increases the thickness of the uterine mucus to prevent sperm from getting through.
Patients who are looking for a long-term, reversible contraceptive should consider this birth control. When used effectively, the Implanon is 99% effective at protecting patients from pregnancy and STIs.
Mirena (IUD)
The Mirena coil is an intrauterine device (IUD) that prevents pregnancy for up to five years. The Mirena is a tiny contraceptive device that slowly releases a progesterone hormone. This T-shaped device is inserted into the cervix in a simple, non-surgical procedure. This procedure can be performed by our Star Medical staff and will require a consultation prior to the insertion. The intrauterine device is a long-term birth control option that is low maintenance once inserted.
Other intrauterine devices include the Kyleena, a smaller version of the Mirena device that contains lower levels of the progesterone hormones, and the Copper IUD, a intrauterine device that sends copper into the uterus as a pregnancy prevention. Discuss these options with our team to find the one that is suitable to your needs.
Menopause
Menopause is when a woman’s monthly periods end and signifies the end of the reproductive stage. Most women undergo menopause changes around 45-55 yars of age however it does happen earlier or later for many women. As women age they will eventually experience menopause, and as women undergo changes associated with menopause, their general health can be affected.
Menopause symptoms can include changes to the menstrual cycle and irregular periods, hot flushes, chills, night sweats, sleep issues, mood changes, muscle and joint aches, tender breasts, changes with emotions and weight gain. Our trained physicians can aid you with treating and managing your menopause symptoms as part of women-centred care. The team at Star Medical are here to support you if you are experiencing the effects of menopause.
Cervical Screening Test
As of 2017, the pap smear test has now been replaced by the cervical screening test. The cervical screening test is recommended for all women, once every five years. The cervical test uses the same steps as a pap smear test, however the Cervical screening test has more effective methods of storing and analysing the samples collected. Here at Star Medical we understand that a Cervical screening test is a sensitive procedure and therefore we aim to make you feel comfortable before, during and after the procedure, and confident in your choice of Star Medical.
Breast Checks
Our team at Star Medical can perform breast examinations to find any abnormalities, concerns or early signs of skin cancer developing. Patients should regularly perform breast self-examinations to ensure they are checking their breasts for abnormalities or areas of concern. As each breast is unique, it is important to understand how your breast usually feels and looks to determine if any changes occur.
We also recommend patients book regular breast examinations to maintain their health at our women’s clinic. A clinic breast examination is performed by our experienced physicians who are able to identify early warning signs of breast cancer. If you notice any breast lumps, nipple discharge or changes to the breast, contact our clinic to book a breast examination today.
Menstrual Concerns and Periods issues
If you are experiencing issues or pain with your periods, our team can assist you with reducing your symptoms or finding the underlying problem. Menstrual issues can impact a woman’s daily activities and therefore we encourage you to seek help if this is the case. We help patients who are just experiencing their periods to those who no longer experience monthly periods. Our clinic can combat patient issues such as changes in period patterns, weight, length, pain levels and timing. Our team of experienced physicians will create solutions to help you manage your menstrual concerns and period issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to regularly perform breast self-examinations?
Patients should be aware of the way their breasts feel and look as this is the easiest way to notice breast changes. We recommend patients to regularly check their breasts for shape, texture and visual changes as well as for breast lumps. By regularly performing breast examinations, patients are more likely to detect any early cancer warning signs or areas of concern in their breasts.
How can I tell if I am going through menopause?
The first sign you are experiencing perimenopause, or pre-menopause, is having an end to your regular periods. This stage begins with irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, night sweats and sleep problems. If these issues occur, we recommend contacting your GP to determine if you are transitioning towards menopause.
